NWSB Writer Bryant Knox discusses whether or not the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge has hit his NBA ceiling. Aldridge’s ceiling has made him an All-Star power forward in a tough Western Conference. Whether he gets back to the All-Star game this year or not, he’s one of the best big men in the league, and he’s an offensive threat every night of the week.

NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin takes a look into Nicolas Batum’s stellar beginning to the 2012/13 season. Despite an offseason spent trying to get away from Portland, Batum looks to have turned a corner in his career. With highs in all stat categories, Batum is becoming a major cog for the Blazers.

Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Nov. 5 matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. These two teams have much different looks about them than they’ve had in the past, but that doesn’t mean the game has lost any of its appeal. Normally the key matchup in this contest would be between LaMarcus Aldridge and Dirk Nowitzki, but with Nowitzki out to begin the season, the battle belongs to Wesley Matthews and O.J. Mayo. Damian Lillard versus Darren Collison will also be fun.